Adam Brown

So we are both originally from the tri-state area and both were accepted to The University of Michigan in the mid 90′s. Granted he did go on to win the World Series and Rookie of The Year Honors in 1996, while I had a 3.0 GPA and countless hangovers. Despite the rough start, my gritty spirit kicked in and I rallied back to have a 3.7 GPA because I wasn’t going out like that. I digress…

So we both moved to New York and spent our whole careers here. Every single day we got up, put on our uniform and went to work. We both have confidence but rarely brag. Both of us are, “rip your face off” competitive, yet we always compete fairly and honorably. We despise losing, but would never cut corners to win. It really is about legacy over short-term gains, and that is what ultimately earns respect and admiration from others. #Re2pect

Being “The Captain” of my team it is imperative to remain even-keeled. I never get too high when we win new business or receive referrals or accolades, and I brush it off when we lose a pitch or have a client leave the agency. When running your own company it is a long season so to speak, and you need to go in knowing you won’t win all of the games. Just like batting, if my career average is .300 I am a Hall of Famer.

We both work in highly competitive industries and have tons of competition, but never really sweat them. We know that we just need to work hard, put in 100% effort and just do what we are expected to do, and the rest will work itself out. It really doesn’t matter what the others around us do, because if we play our game then we will win.

We both married supermodels (at least in my eyes) and we are both gentlemen in how we approach the women in our lives. We are excellent teammates and always have the backs of those around us. Life is a marathon and how you treat people comes back around for sure. Act as if…

I even love how he partnered with Jordan, (my childhood hero) for a brand deal. Both are fierce competitors, but if you want the benchmark for doing things the right way personally and professionally then I have to go with Number 2, the best that ever did it!

With my 40th birthday (4 months from today) looming, I have been thinking a lot about legacy lately. Of course, the soundtrack to Hamilton on constant repeat in my home these days, as well as the PBS special about the making of Hamilton still fresh in my mind might have something to do with it. Nonetheless, it is a real milestone birthday both personally and professionally and it has me thinking.

Will my clients say I worked hard and was always honorable and fair in my interactions? Will my employees say that I motivated them and offered them a path for growth, both personally and professionally? Will my children be proud of my contributions at work, in the community and in their lives? Will my wife, family and friends continue to always support me along the way? All of these things are swirling around in my brain.

I read once (not sure where) that “leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.” I hope that the narrative with me is that I always led by example both in the work place and at home and that those who worked for, lived with or chose to be a friend or collaborator with me, all felt that they benefited from my leadership.

I think that I have always been comfortable being a leader. In high school I wasn’t the best player on my varsity soccer or lacrosse teams (both of which went to the county finals my senior year mind you) but I was named a captain on both. In college, I chose my own path, my own major and ultimately made my own decision post college, to bet on myself and my own sales ability and not go down the conventional graduate school (well I did go to Law School for 29 days, but lets disregard that) path. For the past 17 years I have consistently gravitated towards leader and “alpha male” roles, as that is just where I always felt the most comfortable and could provide the most upside and value.

I try to mentor others so I can teach them what I have learned (both good and bad) along the way and I also seek out mentors who can hopefully do the same for me. It is so important to take and implement what I have absorbed from those who have gone before me and I’d like to think that others get the same value from me. I am constantly trying to positively impact the lives of those around me and I hope that it super clear in my daily actions. While I know that doing the right thing is always my north star, I realize my intent might not always come through in my content. I am committed to doing a better job there.

I am so hungry for success and always shooting for the stars, but I try to put equal weight into remaining grounded, grateful and humble. I never forget where I came from, nor do I ever take for granted the many advantages I have had along the way. I try to remain hungry both in my pursuit of financial and professional success, as well as ways I can be a better person and give back to others. It is a constant balancing act and while I am not always perfectly level, I am keenly aware of when I need to tip the scales back to try and get there.

So I write this post to help point my compass in the right direction and so that I can hit my 40th birthday in stride. I don’t want to make new (birth) year’s resolutions to get better on that date, I want to be well on my way when I get there. I hope that I can motivate others in my 1977 class (or anyone else for that matter) to do the same. If I can entice anyone who took the time to read through this to up their game and improve their own legacy, then I have already succeeded in that regard.

I was recently approached by Cereal Entrepreneur to do a profile on me and they just posted it on their account today. I am thrilled they wanted to chat and I hope my words are seen as useful and productive to those who read it.

Here is an excerpt from the full interview:

“I have been in digital marketing, e-commerce and branding since 1999. I spent a decade on the client side and felt very strongly that agencies were just missing the mark when it came to service and truly understanding what brands and SMB’s really need. I set out to create an anti-agency model that put service first, after which @sirclemedia was born.

I like working with businesses and learning their stories. I like helping owners and marketers craft their message and then present their unique selling propositions and reasons for being. Sales comes easy to me, because the passion and understanding are there and that creates a very solid foundation for working with clients.

I work both in service and in marketing because it allows me to help businesses sell their products and offerings to others. This is the path I chose, because it allows me to play to my strengths and provide an element that most brands are missing. It is one thing to believe you are great, but it is harder to get others to agree.

I’m convinced that if truth, honesty, hard work AND excellent customer service are your north star(s) then you will win in the end. The commitment to remarkable service cant just be on the surface, it needs to run deep. Ultimately, business decision makers want to trust a partner, who will have their best interest at heart and will work hard to advance the client’s needs before their own. That is where we focus.”Q: How’s Sircle Media different?

A: Most social media agencies are looking to offer project work OR retainers that are itemized solutions and not solving the real problem. Businesses really need an employee mindset when running point on social media and we really work to fill that role in a unique way. I always say we are more of a staffing agency that an traditional marketing firm and we are filling a mission critical role, just in an outsourced capacity.

Q: What’s your advice to others entrepreneurs?

A: Focus on the important stuff and work hard, smart and fast. Don’t get too high or too low and just remain committed to and focused on moving the company forward and leaning in on the pros and on reducing the cons along the way.

Here is a little piece on our Founder, Adam Brown in Creator Magazine. It highlights his routine and how he approaches each morning. Enjoy! (Credit: David Grossman)

Adam Brown is a specialist in what might be considered one of the hardest writing styles imaginable: a relatable human being on social media. As the founder of social media strategy firm Sircle, Brown told Creator that one of his favorite parts of his job is getting “to play entrepreneur on various projects daily.” Below, the WeWork 42nd Street member takes us through the beginning of his day, shaping his morning decisions around his company’s various needs, his personal life, and Drake.

WeWork: Are you a morning person?

Brown: I am definitely a morning person. I firmly believe that an actively engaged entrepreneur’s brain never really turns off, so when my eyes open (to quote Drake) I go zero to a 100, real quick. My wife can’t stand my morning whistling and “chipperness,” but I just cant hold back. New days bring new beginnings, and I am always ready to hustle and make great things happen. On weekdays, it is get up, get focused, and kill it; on weekends, it is time with my daughters.

WeWork: What time do you usually get up?

Brown: 5 a.m. on Mondays and then between 6 and 7 a.m. the rest of the week. I have always tried to start my workday super early, and I try to get as much done as humanly possible by 9 a.m. I like the feeling of being ahead of everyone else who are just getting started.

WeWork: What gets you up every day?

Brown: On Mondays, I use my iPhone alarm clock, although 90 percent of the time, my eyes open before it goes off. I also have two built-in alarm clocks in my apartment, named Sydney and Riley, that take care of things the rest of the week.

WeWork: Tell us about your morning routine.

Brown: Wake up, spend some quality time with my family, check online channels, shower, dress, and walk out the door.

WeWork: What do you do during your morning commute?

Brown: I used to walk to work every day when I lived about a mile from my office, which was amazing for my health and for clearing my mind. Nowadays, I either take the subway or I travel to work by Via, answering emails and reading articles to get a head start.

WeWork: What’s the first thing you do when you arrive at the office?

Brown: At 6:30 a.m. each weekday morning, a calendar alert pops up on my phone:

Monday: new product development

Tuesday: sales and prospecting

Wednesday: strategy and creative thinking

Thursday: company culture, HR, and processes

Friday: client accounts review

Things will always fly at me from all angles, so I find it helpful to be reactionary and address them as they come. Having a routine helps me make sure each area gets proper focus and attention.

WeWork: What’s your secret to not stressing out in the morning?

Brown: I scroll through my Instagram and Twitter early in the morning, and I try to read only positive stuff like uplifting quotes and pictures, or tweets about where my industry is going, etc. I do not read the news, and I stay away from email for the first 30 to 60 minutes of my day. I don’t want to see any fires or issues until I am in full stride.

WeWork: Tell us what you eat for breakfast.

Brown: Usually it’s some organic all natural cereal with almond milk or a natural bar, and always a black coffee.

Our President and Founder, Adam Brown was recently featured in a spotlight piece on StartupCollective and YEC, where he gave some tips on how to be a successful Entrepreneur. It was a Q&A format and produced some great nuggets for others looking to run their own business.

When asked what is one thing you would recommend to others to do right now to take their business to the next level, Brown replied: ”My recommendation is to really know your stuff and be awesome at what you do. Seems obvious right? But the bottom line is a lot of people are just mediocre. You want to shine? Do the unexpected. Offer Four Seasons service, from the first handshake to the final paycheck. That is how you win and how your business will grow.”

He also said, “The best advice I can give to someone who wants to be an entrepreneur is that they need to be all in, right from the start. If you approach it hesitantly and little by little, you will either fail or simply never scale in a meaningful way.” It is clear that it really needs to be your 100% focus to make it work. To read the full interview, click here!

Sircle Media President and Founder, Adam Brown was asked to speak on a panel at Plannertech on August 13th 2013. He was joined by Janine Just, CEO of Janine Just Inc. (A Social Relations Firm) and Mikki Glass, Founder of PickIT (A self serve Facebook contest and sweepstakes solution) and they were asked a number of questions regarding “Events Gone Viral” and how Social Media influences behavior in and around events.

The room was filled with over 100 individuals who work in and around the events industry. It was a Q&A format and each speaker was given about a minute or so to address each question asked. The questions ranged from “What makes an event go viral?” to “What are some of the best and worst marketing campaigns/strategies you have each seen in recent years?” The speakers addressed each question head on and it was one of the highlights of the day.

Social Media is a powerful tool in making events more meaningful and more memorable beyond the event date.

The event was put together by the incomparable Liz King, Founder of Liz King Events who has been a great partner to Sircle Media over the past couple of years. Sircle hopes to be invited back next year!

Today we announced that we acquired DynaDig LLC, a New York City based Digital Marketing Agency. This is another step in a series of strategic moves towards solidifying a more robust suite of services for our growing client base.

We are firm believers that Social Media is just a general term for today’s internet. All digital touch points are opportunities to serve up meaningful content which a brand hopes will be found and then shared and engaged with. Sircle focuses on social, content and search and we are always looking for new and better ways to help our clients at this intersection. This acquisition and the start of our new Sircle Web Solutions Division will allow us to offer greatly improved and more comprehensive web design and development solutions for small and local businesses.

We have already begun working with new clients under this joint venture and will continue to roll out new products in the near future. The company will operate under the Sircle Media name and Chris Heller will be the Managing Director of the newly created Sircle Web Solutions division. CLICK HERE to see the Press Release